The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-07-27
A Word for the Children.

Mothers, why do you not praise the
children when they do the many little
things to help you? Let them know
that you appreciate their work, and
see how pleased they will be and how
much better they will do. love chill
dren dearly, and it grieves me to see
the indifference manifested by some
parents towards the little ones. They
seem to think if they are clothed and
fed that is the main thing, and are so
taken up with the cares of this world
that they do not take time to become
acquainted with the children that God
has given them. Would it not be better
if you would spend less time making
fine clothes, ETC., for them and spend
more time with the little ones-playing
with them, loving them and teaching
them how to be good men and women
instead of saying I" l can't fuss with
you; go away" and leaving them to
find their companions in the streets
and learning so much wickedness? Oh,
the harsh words that have heard from
the lips of some parents. l have
watched their effect upon the children
to whom they were uttered. l have
noticed that the children of scolding
and fault-finding parents always scold
and find fault themselves; and why
should they not? BY the time they
are old enough to know better the
habit has become so fixed that it is
hard to leave it off. | have often
thought how it would be if one of those
children should be suddenly taken
away. Mothers, how you would wish
only kind, loving words had been
spoken. How perfect that child would
seem to you. Oh, do not be afraid
to show the dear ones how much you
love them while you have them with
you. 1t seems to me that this life is
too short to be spent in the way many
spend it. l know of girl who asked a
friend if she supposed her mother
cared anything for her; she never
remembered of receiving kiss or one
loving word from her, which she had
seen other mothers give their children.
And as to the older children, who stay
at home and help you. You cannot
imagine how much good a word OF
praise would do them. They may
know that they do all they can to helr
you, but they want to feel that you
think they do well-want to hear you
say you could not get along without
them. 1t would make the work seen
so much lighter and easier. 1t would
have the same effect that the oil die
upon my sewing-machine to-day.
knew it had done enough, but was very
tired and did not want to spend time tC
care forit properly. But found that il
ran so hard that applied little oil
and there was vast difference in {
second. 1t seemed to work with re
hSNSt NOlllds5C, luou az
your daughter will if you will try {
little oil of commentator House
work is healthful and can be made
very pleasant work if we do it in thu
right way. But as the weeks, months
and years go by it becomes very monot
onous to young girls unless their worl
is appreciated. And they need {
change occasionally-need to 90 away
from home for a few days. 1t doe,
them worlds of good, and they vii
come back glad to take up the worl
again. If the mothers themselve,
would step out of the harness once il
awhile they would find that they would
be much benefited by the change, anC
they would not wear out so soon
Some will say they can't leave, bu
"where there's a will there's way
Better rest for few days than to taxi
the long rest just when you are 81
much needed. A. Il. l..